Museum of Applied Arts
The Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest is considered one of the most popular and frequently visited places in Hungary. It has a huge collection of various exhibits that tell about the history and cultural values of many European countries. The Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest is distinguished by the emerald Zsolnay tiles on the building and rich expositions of jewelry, glass, porcelain, cutlery.
If you have come to Budapest and have a few free days to walk around the city and see the sights, we recommend visiting the Museum of Applied Arts.
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History of the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts
The first Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest was opened in 1896. The opening coincided with the year when Hungary celebrated its thousandth anniversary.
The museum building itself was designed and built by famous architects Eden Lechner and Gyula Partos three years before its opening. Now historians confidently state that the building is made in the Art Nouveau style. The exterior of the building combines the style of Eastern culture with classical elements of European culture. The roof of the building is covered with emerald tiles of the Hungarian Zsolnay Tile House. These tiles give the museum a special, majestic appearance.
During World War II, the building of the Museum of Applied Arts was heavily damaged and almost completely destroyed. Restoration work on the museum in the Hungarian capital was carried out until 1949.
Museum architecture
The Art Nouveau style was chosen for the construction of the building, so this museum is one of the most luxurious and memorable monuments of Hungarian architecture. Ehden Lechner’s style has its own characteristic feature. The museum building combines Hungarian folk ceramics and Islamic motifs. The emerald roof gives the museum its charm. Compared to other architectural monuments of Hungary, the Museum of Applied Arts in the capital stands out.
Collection of the Museum of Applied Arts
The museum houses a huge collection of unique exhibits of decorative art from most European countries, including Hungary itself, from the 16th to 21st centuries.
Stunning displays of French furniture, Italian majolica, Augsburg gold, Zsolnay ceramics, bronze, porcelain, mirrors in exquisite frames. Precious jewelry of the Esterházy family, as well as unique musical instruments, elegant cutlery, antique clocks and many other unique exhibits.
The hall of oriental art in the museum is of particular interest. It presents a wonderful collection of tapestries and carpets made in the oriental style.
The Museum of Applied Arts also has a library hall, where books are exhibited that have survived to this day in a single copy.
The Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest has a branch – the Nadtyeteny Palace Museum. It features exhibits of antique furniture made in different historical styles from European countries.
The central hall of the museum has glass passages that lead to separate exhibition rooms. They contain exhibits made of porcelain, wood and bronze. In addition, the museum presents national costumes of various nations, textiles, and household items.
The surroundings of the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest
The Museum of Applied Arts has a huge number of unique collections. It can take half a day to see them all, and the other half can be spent walking around the city, because there are many other popular places in the Hungarian capital near the museum.
Nearby is the Liberty Bridge over the Danube, which, like the museum, is made in the Art Nouveau style. Thanks to this bridge, two parts of the capital are connected: Buda and Pest.
In addition, not far from the museum is the Gellert Cave, which was a hospital for German soldiers during World War II. Here you will also see the bronze Statue of Liberty, which was erected in honor of the soldiers who liberated Hungary from the Nazis during World War II.
Also located near the Museum of Applied Arts are:
- Budapest Central Synagogue
- Palace of Arts
- Bela Bartok National Concert Hall
- Ludwig Museum of Modern Art Hall
The Museum of Applied Arts in the capital of Hungary is one of the most popular and beautiful places in the city and the country. Every tourist who comes to Budapest is simply obliged to visit this famous monument of art and admire the exhibits of various eras and styles.
Basic information about the Museum of Applied Arts:
| Official name: | Iparművészeti Múzeum |
|---|---|
| Location: | Üllôi út 33–37 |
| How to reach: | Metro line М3 (Corvin-negyed station) |
| Working time: | Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00-18:00 |
| Official website: | www.imm.hu |
